Understanding the Difference Between Korea’s D-7 and D-8 Visas

When multinational companies send employees to work at their Korean offices, one of the first steps is determining the right visa category for the assignee. In Korea, two common visa types for corporate transferees are the D-7 (Intra-Company Transferee) and D-8 (Corporate/Foreign Investor) visas. While both allow foreign professionals to work in Korea, the correct choice depends largely on the legal status of the company’s local entity. Misunderstanding this distinction can cause unnecessary delays in the relocation process, so it’s essential to confirm the correct visa type before applying. The Key Difference: Branch Office vs. Foreign-Invested Company Foreign companies establishing a presence in Korea generally do so in one of two ways: Branch Office – A registered branch of the overseas headquarters. Foreign-Invested Company (FIC) – A locally incorporated company with registered foreign investment. This classification directly determines the visa type: D-7 Visa → For employees assigned to a branch office. D-8 Visa → For employees assigned to a foreign-invested company. How to Confirm Your Entity Type Upon establishment, every Korean entity receives official registration documents that identify its type: Branch Office – “Permission for the Establishment of the Branch Office” or “Acceptance of the Declaration of the Branch.” Foreign-Invested Company – “Certificate of Foreign-Invested Company.” These documents are not only important for internal recordkeeping but are also part of the mandatory visa application package for D-7 or D-8 processing. Maintaining these records will help ensure a smooth visa application for incoming assignees. Why the Naming Causes Confusion Korea’s Immigration Service names the D-7 as “Intra-Company Transferee” and the D-8 as “Corporate/Foreign Investor.” While this suggests that the D-8 is only for investors, in reality, it also applies to employees of foreign-invested companies. This has led to misunderstandings among HR managers and expatriates alike. A more intuitive naming might have been D-7: Branch Office Transferee and D-8: Foreign-Invested Company Transferee—but until then, knowing your company’s legal structure remains the simplest way to choose the right visa.